May 20th, 2023, marks the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which preceded the signing of the more famous Declaration by more than a year.
Influential Charlotte (then called Charlottetown) men declared themselves “free and independent” of the British crown. The declaration was read on noon of May 20th from the courthouse steps. Then a second document, the Mecklenburg Resolves, was written.
James Jack, a tavern owner and future Revolutionary War officer, rode by horseback from Charlotte to Philadelphia to deliver copies of the Mecklenburg Declaration and Mecklenburg Resolves to the Second Continental Congress. On the way he stopped in Salisbury to read the documents publicly in district court.
What happened when he got to Philadelphia? Well, not much. The North Carolina delegates were still hoping for a reconciliation with England. And what happened to the original documents? It’s unclear, but it’s said that they were destroyed in an 1800 fire. In 1819 U.S. Senator Nathaniel Macon presented a recreated document to the Raleigh Register.
Thomas Jefferson, who was accused by John Adams of plagiarizing the Mecklenburg documents, asserted that there were no Mecklenburg documents, that the whole thing was a hoax. (Of course he would say that.) Today there’s controversy about what really happened. Read more in Five Facts to Know about Meck Dec Day, from UNC Charlotte.
But, regardless of any controversy, Charlotte celebrates Meck Dec Day every year.
It is the day of the year that you’re most likely to see people in Colonial garb, and horses, in Uptown Charlotte.
Read on to learn how we will be celebrating Meck Dec Day this year.
Noon Meck Dec Day Commemoration
This year the annual commemoration will take place at to The Square at Trade and Tryon, on Friday, May 19, 2023, at noon.
This traditional celebration has hosted four former presidents, military generals, and many more dignitaries.
The celebration will include:
- Military and colonial reenactors
- Historic readings
- Horses
- Military parades
- Cannon firing
- More
The Mecklenburg Declaration will be read from a re-enactor, on the steps of a reproduction of the original Court House. You can expect a series of toasts, quoted from the 1825 celebration. The proper response to each is, “Huzzah!”
Following the toasts there will be a volley of musket and cannon fire. Then, typically, the crowd parades down the street to Old Settler’s Cemetery, where there is a musket salute and a wreath placed on the grave of Thomas Polk, the founder of Charlotte.
This is a free celebration.
Meck Dec Day National Book and Beer Release
Lost Worlds Brewing, 19700-D One Norman Blvd, Cornelius, is hosting the national book release of David Fleming’s book, “Who’s Your Founding Father? One Man’s Epic Quest to Uncover the First, True Declaration of Independence.”
The Meck Dec Day event includes a book talk, author signing, a beer release and music.
The event takes place Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 12 to 8 p.m. This is a free event.
- 12:30 p.m.: Welcome to MecDec Day! Scott Syfert, May 20 Society co-founder, gives an overview of MecDec Day and its significance to Charlotte and the state of North Carolina.
- 1:15 to 2 p.m.: Book Sales and Author Signing + Merchandise Give aways
- 2 to 3 p.m.: Book Talk! Meet David Fleming. He’ll discuss the idea for the book, the research journey; key locations around Charlotte; his writing process and the road to publication.
- 3 to 4 p.m.: Book Sales and Author Signing
- 4 to 4:30 p.m.: MecDec Honey Ale TENTtalk. Beer education and tasting under the big tent in the Biergarten
- 4:30 to 5 p.m.: Book Sales and Author Signing
- 6 to 7 p.m.: Moderator Interview and excerpt readings + audience Q/A
- 7 to 10 p.m.: Music in Biergarten
Charlotte Museum of History
UPDATE: We’ve learned that the Meck Dec will not be read at the Charlotte Museum of History. However May 20, 2023, will still be a great day to visit, because if you pay for museum admission, tours of the 1774 Rock House, which was built by one of the signers of the Meck Dec, Hezekiah Alexander, will be free to visit. Regular admission applies, but tours of the Rock House will be free for attendees that day. Usually they’re an extra charge.
Admission to Charlotte Museum of History is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62+), children (6-17) and students with ID. Admission is free for children 5 and under and Charlotte Museum of History members.
Captain James Jack Bike Ride
We are expecting to hear about the Captain James Jack Bike Ride soon. This is an annual event that starts at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road. Its two-hour ride follows the path of the Charlotte Liberty Walk and Captain Jack, with multiple stops to discuss the revolutionary history leading up to the ride that delivered the Meck-Deck which would have declared Charlotte’s independence from the British on May 20th 1775, more than a year earlier than the national Declaration of Independence.
The bike ride is approximately 10 miles and travel on a series of open streets, greenways and residential thruways. All riders are expected to wear Helmets and have lights or reflectors. The ride leaves and returns to Olde Mecklenburg Brewery.
Check back soon for 2023 details.
More about Meck Dec Day
Some websites about the Meck Dec
Some Meck Dec related sites to visit
- Charlotte Liberty Walk has a marker for the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
- The Captain Jack Statue, part of the Trail of History, is on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, at CPCC. You might find our self-guided tour of that section of Little Sugar Creek Greenway helpful.
- The Matheson Bridge Mural, by William Puckett, visually depicts the story of the Meck Dec. You’ll find it under the Matheson Street Bridge, on North Davidson Street. It’s been a few years since we’ve checked it out, so we can’t vouch for the mural’s condition.
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